Patrick Gaudreau
-SRG 2009
MORINVILLE, A., GAREAU, A., FRANCHE, V.
Français
In this program of research, we have investigated the role of parents and coaches in predicting consequential sport participation outcomes of adolescent athletes. Past research has found that parents and coaches can positively influence athletes by giving them choices, by recognizing their feelings and perspectives, as well as by providing them with opportunities for independence and self-initiative (Mageau & Vallerand, 2003). Only a few developmental studies have examined the relative importance of the autonomy supportive style of coaches and parents in predicting sport-related outcomes of competitive athletes (Gagné et al., 2003). Even more surprisingly, this research has yet to examine the combined or interactive impact of parents and coaches. Two alternative hypotheses were tested: (1) a synergistic interaction whereby high levels of autonomy support from the coaches and the parents are needed to foster optimal sport participation outcomes, (2) a compensatory interaction whereby high levels of autonomy support from the coaches can compensate the relative absence of autonomy support from the parents. These hypotheses were tested in two longitudinal studies with samples of competitive adolescent soccer players (n = 51) and gymnasts (n = 65) from the province of Quebec. Results from both studies have supported the compensatory hypothesis. For athletes who received limited amount of autonomy support from their parents, our results revealed strong positive associations between coaches’ autonomy support and several outcomes such as sport motivation, need satisfaction, optimal flow experiences during competition, attainment of sport-related goals, and perceived satisfaction with sport performance. This research program showed that coaches are extremely important for the promotion and development of consequential sport participation outcomes, particularly among at-risk athletes whose parents are not adopting an autonomy supportive parenting style. Future research should examine how conflicted relationships between parents and coaches can aggravate the lack of autonomy support offered by some parents.
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